Human Settlement Dept warns of legal action against corrupt officials, land grabbers
Town planner says capital lags behind in framing policy; offers alternative solution to katchi abadis. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Following the recovery of a huge cache of narcotics from the residence of an Excise and Taxation Department official just days ago, a new scandal has surfaced, implicating personnel from another government department in the illegal occupation of land in the metropolis.
In a public notice issued by the regional director of the Sindh Human Settlement Department (formerly known as Katchi Abadis), it transpired that police officers and Anti-Encroachment Force personnel are involved in the unlawful sale and purchase of land in various katchi abadis (slums) across the metropolitan city. The notice, which was issued in connection with a socio-economic survey of 36 katchi abadis in Karachi, named more than a dozen people allegedly involved in these illegal activities.
The document specifically pointed out that all the katchi abadis under scrutiny belong to the Sindh Human Settlement Department, and mutation orders for the residents have been issued based on NOCs. However, land grabbers, in collaboration with corrupt officials from the local police and Anti-Encroachment Force, have been found to be illegally trading in plots, houses, and even farmhouses within these settlements.
The notice included a stern warning to both land grabbers and government officials involved in these illegal transactions. The Sindh Human Settlement Department vowed to take legal action against those continuing to engage in the unlawful sale and purchase of properties in these katchi abadis. The settlements in question are located in District West, District East, and District Keamari.
The settlements in District West include Al Shahbaz Goth, Allah Bakhsh Goth, Aarib Goth, Bilawal Goth, Dost Muhammad Goth, and Ghareebabad, among others. Meanwhile, settlements in District East include Noor Muhammad Model Town, Zakri Goth, and Allah Bakhsh Brohi Goth, and those in Keamari include Kachilo Goth and Azeem Nagar. The public notice highlighted that the illegal activities of land grabbers and corrupt officials have badly undermined the rule of law and are contributing to the growing encroachment problems in these areas.
